As someone who has lived in Austin and Houston, let me tell you -- the Mexican food here SUCKS. Granted, I am a TexMex snob, but I have yet to find a viable Mexican restaurant around here. Please let me know if there are any joints that might cure this ailment, thanks.

More seriously, I sincerely hope Gov. Warner decides to run for Senate. We really need more problem solvers in that august body, people who will stop the rampant obstructionism and rationally look at the world as it is, not as their crazy fantasies wish it to be. I think I can make a decent argument that, in fact, the most important elections next year are the 34 Senate seats up -- with a major push, we can dramatically alter the future course of our country and get real change.

...that he could fly us all to Texas, New Mexico or California for some REAL Mexican food. :)

That you didn't suggest that he could treat us to REAL Mexican food in, uh, where's that place they have really good Mexican food? oh yeah Mexico. :-)

Did you know that more Americans visit Tiajuana every year than both London and Paris combined?

Vamanos!

There are actually some good places in Northern Virginia, in my opinion.  The biggest difference that I've found here is in terms of price, not so much quality.  (e.g. the same meal here will cost about $10 to $15 as opposed to $5 to $7 in Texas). 

Sadly there is no comparison here to the Tex-Mex fast food glory that is Taco Cabana.

Some places that I think measure up: Rio Grande -- a chain restaurant that is on par with some good Tex-Mex places in San Antonio. 

El Paso -- a family favorite located in the Ballston area of Arlington.  If you can stomach the glory wall featuring such notables as the Prez and Spencer Abraham and actually make it into the restaurant you'll find that the food is actually pretty good.

I haven't found a place that has high level soft-tacos, but most of the places here can at least compete with the other standard dishes.

For a Tex-Mex purist it would be heresy to suggest as much; however, I would also recommend Anita's in Vienna, VA as good New Mexico style New-Mex cooking. 

I find it to be excellent food like that found in the "Valley of Mexico" (the large basin around Mexico city and beyond).  Portions are large and prices are low.

It is my favorite Mexican place in the area (East of the Mississippi).

It is NOT TexMex (which is an entirely different cuisine).  We have not had any decent TexMex around here since Bar-J's Chilli Parlor closed...  sigh.  Though RioGrande is tasty - it's way overpriced...

Darn - I was hoping Mark Warner would announce he was not going to run to trick Tom Davis into running, then change his mind and stomp Davis into the dirt...  allowing us an easy pick up in the 11th CD.

I am afraid that if Mark announces he is running for US Senate, then Davis will chicken out and stay in his safe congressional seat - making it much harder to topple him out (which he deserves).

Glad to hear this, although I'm still awaiting the real announcement later this week.  Our senators today are Warner/Webb and should remain the same through 2012. ;)

I do hope he runs for Senate, but I think it prudent to wait for him to announce what he decides to do.